The open-source Linux-based Moblin platform launched last year has now begun arriving in consumer products. According to an article at Ars Technica, the first device is the M528 coming from Gigabyte. It contains an 800 MHz Atom, 4 GB of internal storage, 512 MB RAM, on-board camera, 800 x 480 display with WiFi and 3G. It will sell for US$386 in Taiwan and requires a 2-yr 3G contract with their local cell phone provider, Chunghwa.{ad}

The device is a slide-phone with a pull-out keyboard. It can run native Linux-based applications and comes with the Gnome desktop, Firefox 3 web browser, and other embedded-level apps. Source code is already available for the device at Moblin.org.